Dear Church of the Open Bible,
This past Sunday we looked at Psalm 2 and how the reality of God’s reign through His anointed King, Jesus, gives us confidence considering the vain opposition of earthly rulers. We were challenged to consider whether we were taking refuge in Him by looking at: 1) how we respond to our current earthly leaders, and 2) how we refer to Jesus as our current eternal king.
A great example of applying this passage can be found in Acts 4. I encourage you to read the whole chapter but here is a quick summary. After healing a beggar and then preaching about Christ, Peter and John are arrested, tried, and then released by the religious establishment in Jerusalem.
Once back together with other believers, they pray to God, quoting in part from the beginning of Psalm 2, with reference to God’s sovereign plan through the cross. But look at what this reminder of God’s rule causes them to pray for.
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” - Acts 4:29-30
In light of the threats they had received from their earthly rulers, Jesus’ disciples noticeably don’t pray for judgment on them. They don’t pray for God to remove their leaders. They don’t even pray for protection. What do they pray for? Boldness. To speak God’s word with boldness, while He continues to work miracles in the lives of others.
May the fact that God is in control, and that Jesus will return as King, give us an ever-increasing boldness to love Him and others well. Let us look for opportunities today to be bold.